Schedule of Acquisition of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016 USD ($)
Worthington Specialty Processing
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 5,200
Worthington Specialty Processing | Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite lived intangible assets	1,900
Worthington Specialty Processing | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible assets	$ 3,300
Useful Life (Years)	6 years
CryoScience
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquired identifiable intangible assets	$ 5,260
CryoScience | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible assets	$ 2,200
Useful Life (Years)	15 years
CryoScience | Technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible assets	$ 2,800
Useful Life (Years)	20 years
CryoScience | Other Intangible Assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite lived intangible assets	$ 260
Useful Life (Years)	1 year